Theses and Dissertations

The Ultimatum (A Working Title)

Date of Award

5-1-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Department

Creative Writing

First Advisor

Emmy Perez

Second Advisor

David Bowles

Third Advisor

Jose Rodriguez

Abstract

This thesis includes a critical introduction and selected chapters from my young adult novel, The Ultimatum, written during my MFA program. The project reflects the skills and craft techniques I developed during my studies and includes nineteen chapters that showcase my approach to character, plot, and theme within the young adult genre.

The Ultimatum (working title) is a young adult romance novel centered on sixteen-year-old Latina protagonist Viviana Salinas, who struggles with self-confidence and body image amid the rigid beauty standards of the late 2000s. Set in McAllen, Texas, between 2008 and 2009, the novel is told from a first-person point of view, offering intimate access to Viviana’s internal conflicts as she navigates love, self-acceptance, and what it means to be valued for who she is.

At the core of the narrative is Viviana’s fractured sense of self-worth, further complicated when she confronts her first love, Alexander Hays, who kept their relationship a secret because of her size. This moment challenges her to reevaluate how she defines her value, both in relation to others and within herself, as she navigates shifting relationships and the possibility of new love. Ultimately, the novel centers on Viviana’s internal struggle to overcome her insecurities while seeking love, belonging, and confidence.

Comments

Copyright 2026 Karyna Saucedo. https://proquest.com/docview/3371202702

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